Around Dent.
Start. Dent.
Route. Dent - Flinter Gill - Occupation Road (Track) - Nun House Lane (Track) - Peacock Hill Farm - Scow - Mill Bridge - Church Bridge - Dent.
Notes. Before setting out on today’s little ramble I was scanning through the pages of the web, having been to Dentdale many times I felt the need to say something a little different about what is known as the forgotten dale. Page after page has been written about the world famous geologist Adam Sedgwick, Dent's most famous son. Terrible Knitters, almost every resident in the village was employed in the manufacture of socks for the British army. The Dent vampire who's grave can be found next to the church entrance. Dent marble, fossil inlaid limestone can be found in famous buildings throughout the world. Did you know around 1885 Dentdale was the final dale to de enclosed, I didn't. Finally who can ignore the charm of the place, quaint buildings, ancient and modern, cobbled streets, friendly people all make a perfect starting point for some exquisite Dales rambling.
Rambling it may be but the start of today’s little walk was a sharp yomp up the tree lined Flinter Gill, a real leg burner. As I escaped the trees a view finder stood atop a small rise to my right, I'd only paid for two hours on the car park so ignored this view point. Onwards I climbed, the gradient easing somewhat, as the views opened out I reached a memorial seat and gate allowing access to the Occupation Road, I passed through said gate before turning left, this was once a drovers route enclosed in 1859 at the time of the enclosures.
Between dry stone walls I strolled with stunning views up and down the dale for company, after about half an hour of steady walking I reached a path junction, a parting of the ways, the finger-post announced I'd reached the path to Nun House Outrake, I left the Occupation Road, on a stoney track which carried me to the dale floor. After crossing the valley road way marked field paths guided me passed Peacock Hill Farm then the ruins of Scow, several fields later I stepped onto tarmac again at the single arch of Mill Bridge. Directly across the road the Dales Way footpath traversed the banks of Deepdale Beck, my route back to Dent, with the song of the beck for company I wandered it's banks, Deepdale Beck soon gave way to the River Dee who's waters kept me company all the way to Church Bridge where I left the Dales Way to wander back to Dent village, two hours ten minutes after setting out I entered the car park.
If you follow in my footfall allow a little longer, I was well knackered, in too much of a rush to appreciate the views over this delectable dale but worst of all, I hadn't’t allowed time to pop into the Sun Inn.
Towering above Long Moor the Howgill Fells, seen from the ascent of Flinter Gill.
Viewing the slopes of Rise Hill across Dentdale.
Over the head of Barbondale the steep flanks of Barkin Top dominate the scene.
Striding out along the Occupation Road looking back to Combe Top and the shadowed face of Combe Scar.
Sunlight and storm, the Howgill Fells seem to breath in diffused light, it's easy to understand why old Wainwright christened them a heard of sleeping elephants.
It's certainly a moody day to be out on the hill, in dappled light the Deepdale face of Whernside.
A striking view across the mouth of Deepdale, on the skyline Great Knoutberry Hill with Dentdale lit by a winters afternoon sun.
Parting of the ways, it's through the gate and down the hill for me.
Looking to the long ridge of Whernside.
Lit by the afternoon sun, Aye Gill Pike and Rise Hill.
Dropping into Deepdale looking back to Great Coum.
The promise of a change to come, worsening weather sweeps down the dale.
In the fields near Scow I came across this old lime oven.
Wandering along the banks of Deepdale Beck looking to Helms Knott.
At the confluences of Deepdale Beck and the River Dee looking to Whernside.
Taking in the view over Dent village, Barkin and Combe Tops guard the head of Barbondale.....
.....and in the other direction Deepdale Side rises to the summit ridge of Whernside.
Looking to the steep slopes of Aye Gill Pike.
I like this shot, the rusty roof and the golden glow of early evening, the sun's sinking below the summits of Crag Hill and Great Coum behind me, soon the shadow will drift up the slopes of Aye Gill Pike and day will turn to night, a magical time.
The cobbled streets of Dent.
Another view, this time down Main Street.